Undergraduate Programs

International Studies (General) – Major and Minor

The International Studies Program combines social sciences and humanities to examine international problems and change. Using a diverse, multidisciplinary approach, the Program encourages students to look at our increasingly interdependent world in order to learn how to study it and understand its politics, societies, economies, and cultures.

Learn more:

 


Major in International Studies (General) – Program closed for applications

Required Curriculum

The major consists of approximately 70 credit hours plus language study within a general four-year B.A. course of study:

Majors are required to maintain a grade point average of at least 2.5, both overall and in the program, and earn a minimum 2.0 grade in all required JSIS/A/B/C/D/E/or RELIG-prefix courses.

All of the list below

Course # Title Credits Quarter
ECON200 Micro-Economics 5 Any quarter
ECON201
JSIS 123
Macro-Economics or
Intro to Globalization or
5 Any
Autumn
JSIS 200 States & Capitalism: Origins of the Modern Global System 5 Autumn
JSIS 201 The Making of the Twenty-first Century 5 Winter or Spring
JSIS 202 Cultural Interactions in an Interdependent World 5 Spring
JSIS B 330 International Political Economy
OR choose from a list of approved alternatives
5
see list Three approved, upper-level interdisciplinary CORE courses in International Studies 15 Any
see lists Three or four upper-division courses in an approved track 15 Any
JSIS 495

JSIS 495 Task Force

Task Force provides a small group setting for in-depth investigation of international policy issues.

For more information on Task Force visit the Task Force website

5 Winter (Seniors Only)
JSIS 498 A seminar which includes reading and writing about major texts. 5 Autumn or Spring
TOTAL Total Credits for the major not including foreign language 70
Modern foreign language competency through second-year college level

International Studies Major Handbook


Admission to the Major

The Major in International Studies (General) is now closed to applications. Prospective applicants may be interested in the new Global and Regional Studies (General) Major that has replaced it.


Minor in International Studies

30 credits as follows:

  1. 10 credits chosen from JSIS 200, JSIS 201, JSIS 202
  2. 15 credits in JSIS B-prefix courses including at least 10 credits at 300 or 400 level (courses with other JSIS prefixes are not eligible, but JSIS 478 may be counted).
  3. 5 additional credits chosen from courses in any of these prefixes: JSIS A, JSIS B, JSIS D.

Minimum grade of 2.0 is required in each course applied toward the minor.


International Studies (General) Courses


Quarterly Course Lists

International Studies Major Courses Spring 2020


Advanced Topic Core Courses

ARCTIC 400 Integrating Policy and Science in Arctic Studies (3) Natural World
JSIS 300 Claims and Evidence
JSIS 478 Advanced Topics in International Studies (varies yearly)
JSIS A 301 Europe Today
JSIS A 323 United States – Latin America Relations
JSIS A 324 Human Rights in Latin America (with LSJ 322)
JSIS A 346 Alternative Routes to Modernity (with HSTAS 348)
JSIS A 405 Social Change in East Asia (with ANTH 449)
JSIS A 416 NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)
JSIS A 429 Eco-Capitalism
JSIS A 430 The Soviet Empire
JSIS A 431 Demographic Issues in Asia  (w/ SOC 434)
JSIS A 452 Global Asia (w/ ANTH 442 GWSS 446)
JSIS A 459 United States-China Relations (w/ POL S 419)
JSIS A 465 International Humanitarian Law
JSIS A 468 Russia in the International System
JSIS A 493 Water and Security in the Middle East
JSIS B 301 War (with SOC 301)
JSIS B 307 Digital Storytelling and Global Citizenship
JSIS B 310 State Society Relations in the Third World (with POL S 320)
JSIS B 311 The Myth of War
JSIS B 312 Money, Love and Marriage in Europe and America
JSIS B 315 Law, State and Society
JSIS B 321 United States National Security
JSIS B 324 Immigration
JSIS B 330 International Political Economy
JSIS B 331 Political Economy of Development
JSIS B 332 Political Economy of International Trade & Finance
JSIS B 333 Gender and Globalization (with GWSS 333)
JSIS B 334 The Place of Law in Multicultural Conflicts (with LSJ 336)
JSIS B 335 Geography of the Developing World (with GEOG 335)
JSIS B 337 Collective Violence and the State (with POL S 337)
JSIS B 338 Biosecurity
JSIS B 340 The Cold War: Realities, Myths, Legacies
JSIS B 344 Migration in the Global Economy (with GEOG 344)
JSIS B 345 Gender and International Economic Development (with ANTH/GWSS 345)
JSIS B 346 Disability in Global and Comparative Perspective
JSIS B 350 Environmental Norms in International Politics (with SCAND 350)
JSIS B 351 The Global Environment
JSIS B 352 Sustainability and Global Business: Leading in a Changing World
JSIS B 355 Cybersecurity and International Studies
JSIS B 357 The Geopolitics of Energy
JSIS B 360 U.S. in the World
JSIS B 361 The Rise of a Global Language
JSIS B 365 World Cities
JSIS B 366 Comparative Law and Legal Cultures (w/ LSJ)
JSIS B 370 Privacy
JSIS B 371 Global Crime and Corruption
JSIS B 375 Geopolitics (with GEOG 375)
JSIS B 380 Immigration and Cultural Memory in the Pacific Northwest
JSIS B 385 Industry and the State
JSIS B 386 Law and Politics and International Trade
JSIS B 388 Political Economy of Industrialized Nations
JSIS B 391 Climate Change – An International Perspective: Science, Art, and Activism
JSIS B 393 LGBTI Rights in International Affairs
JSIS B 406 Political Islam & Islamic Fundamentalism (with POL S 432)
JSIS B 407 Political Islam & Contemporary Islamist Movements
JSIS B 410 Readings in U.S. in the World
JSIS B 416 Putting the World on the Couch: Psychoanalysis & International Studies
JSIS B 420 Failed States
JSIS B 422 International Trade and Security
JSIS B 423 Practicing American Foreign Policy
JSIS B 424 The Politics of International Nuclear Security
JSIS B 425 Crafting & Influencing U.S. Foreign Policy
JSIS B 426 World Politics (with POL S 426)
JSIS B 427 Weapons of Mass Destruction: Development, Deployment, & Detection
JSIS B 428 The Media & Peace (w/ COM )
JSIS B 429 Nuclear Nonproliferation and International Safeguards
JSIS B 430 Late Industrialization and Social Change
JSIS B 431 International Negotiation Simulation
JSIS B 433 Environmental Degradation in the Tropics (with ENVIR 433) Natural World
JSIS B 436 Ethnic Politics and Nationalism (with POL S 436)
JSIS B 437 Global Diasporas
JSIS B 440 The Communist Experience Around the World
JSIS B 441 Forced Migrations
JSIS B 444 Space Law and Policy
JSIS B 446 History, Memory and Justice
JSIS B 450 Deeply Divided Societies
JSIS B 455 International Environmental Policy
JSIS B 467 Nations and States in the Modern World (w/HSTCMP 467)
JSIS B 468 Theatre as a Site of History & Memory
JSIS B 469 Law and Rights in Authoritarian Regimes (w/POL S & LSJ)
JSIS B 472 Electoral Systems (w/ POL S)
JSIS B 476 Comparative International Political Economy
RELIG 307 Religion and World Politics (w/ POL S 307)
JEW ST 368 Modern European Jewish History (w/ HSTEU 368)
RELIG 404 Political Economy of Religious Institutions
JSIS D 429 International Population
JSIS D 435 Population and Modernization (with SOC 432)
JSIS D 450 Political Economy of Women & Family in the Third World (w/ SOC)

Approved Alternatives to JSIS B 330 International Political Economy

JSIS 300 Claims and Evidence
JSIS 478 Advanced Topics in International Studies (min. 5 cr. – with adviser approval
JSIS A 362 Political Economy of Africa
JSIS A 417 Political Economy of India
JSIS A 429 Eco-Capitalism
JSIS A 430 The Soviet Empire
JSIS A 459 United States-China Relations (w/POL S 419)
JSIS A 465 International Humanitarian Law
JSIS B 331 Political Economy of Development
JSIS B 371 Global Crimes and Corruption
JSIS B 422 The U.S. and the Contemporary International System
JSIS B 426 World Politics (with POL S 426)
JSIS B 430 Late Industrialization and Social Change
JSIS B 436 Ethnic Politics and Nationalism (with POL S 436)
JSIS B 467 Nations and States in the Modern World (with HSTCMP 467)

General Major Tracks

CANADA TRACK

Take three of the following:
ARCTIC 400 Integrating Policy and Science in Arctic Studies
JSIS A 321 / POL S 341 Government and Politics of Canada
JSIS A 356 Canadian Society
JSIS A 375 / HSTAA 377 History of Canada
JSIS A 422 / AIS 465 First Nations Filmmaking in Canada
JSIS A 426 / AIS 461 First Nations Government & Politics in Canada
JSIS A / FRENCH 441 Quebecois Literature
JSIS A 498 Seminar in Canadian Problems
JSIS B 380 Immigration and Cultural Memory in the Pacific Northwest
JSIS 482 Special Topics Canada
GEOG 370 Environmental Conservation: Geographic Perspectives
AES 442 Undocumented Immigrant Communities
AIS 480 Indigenous Resistance and Resurgence Movements in the United States, Canada, and Mexico
See Adviser: Additional special topics courses may be approved.

CHINA TRACK

One of the following required:
HSTAS 254 China in the Twentieth Century
JSIS A/HSTAS 454 History of Modern China
Plus two of the following:
JSIS A/GEOG 236 Development and Challenge in Greater China
JSIS A 328 Gender and Sexuality in China
JSIS A /ANTH 370 Han Chinese Society and Culture
JSIS A 403 /ANTH 444 Politics of Representation in Modern China
JSIS A 404 Religion in China
JSIS A /ANTH  406 China’s Environment
JSIS A 408/POL S 442 Government and Politics of China
JSIS A 453/ECON 468 China’s Economic Reforms-Integration into World Economy
JSIS A /HSTAS 456 Topics in Chinese Social History
JSIS A 459/POL S 419 U.S. China Relations
JSIS A/HSTAS 460 Cities in China
JSIS A 464 Contemporary Society in the People’s Republic of China
JSIS A 467 China’s Rise & its Global Implication
JSIS A /ANTH 470 Minority Peoples of China
JSIS B 455 International Environmental Policy
JSIS B 469 Law & Rights in Authoritarian Regimes (w/ LSJ & POL S)
JSIS D 467 Postwar Economic Development in Taiwan
ANTH 447 Anthropology of Chinese Religion
ECON 466 Economic History of China: 1840-1949
ECON 493 Economy of Modern China
GEOG 435 Industrialization and Urbanization in China
GWSS/HSTAS 459 Gender Histories of Modern China, 18th-20th Centuries

DEVELOPMENT TRACK

Required:
JSIS B 331 Political Economy of Development
Plus two of the following:
ANTH/ENVIR 371 Anthropology of Development
ECON 448 Population and Development
GEOG 230 Geographies of Global Inequality
GEOG 330 Latin America: Landscapes of Change
GEOG 331 Global Poverty and Care
GEOG 336 Development and Challenge in China
GEOG 370 Environmental Conservation: Geographic Perspectives
GEOG 371 World Hunger and Agricultural Development
GEOG 430 Contemporary Development Issues in Latin America
GEOG 431 Geography and Gender
GEOG 438 Cities of East Asia: Geography and Development
JSIS A/GEOG 236 Development and Challenge in Greater China
JSIS A 339 Social Movements in Contemporary India
JSIS A 346/ HSTAS 348 Alternative Routes to Modernity
JSIS A / SOC 355 Social Change in Latin America
JSIS A 362 Political Economy of Africa
JSIS A 363 Africa and the Modern World
JSIS A 417 Political Economy of India
JSIS A 431/ SOC 434 Demographic Issues in Asia
JSIS A 438/ GEOG 436 Political Geographies of South Asia
JSIS A 446 Political Development in East Asia
JSIS B 307 Digital Storytelling and Global Citizenship
JSIS B 310/ POL S 320 State-Society Relations in the Third World
JSIS B 315 Law, State and Society
JSIS B 324 Immigration
JSIS B/ GEOG 335 Geography of the Developing World
JSIS B 344 Migration in the Global Economy
JSIS B/ ANTH/ GWSS  345 Gender & International Economic Development (w)
JSIS B 361 Geopolitics of Language
JSIS B 365 World Cities
JSIS B 385 Industry and the State
JSIS B 420 Failed States
JSIS B/ ENVIR 433 Environmental Degradation in the Tropics
JSIS B 441 Forced Migration
JSIS B 455 International Environmental Policy
JSIS D 372 Asian Sustainable Development
JSIS D 429 International Population
JSIS D 435/ SOC 432 Population and Modernization
JSIS D/ SOC 450 Political Economy of Women and Family in the Third World
POL S 449 Politics of Developing Areas
POL S 477 African Political Development

EAST ASIA (GENERAL) TRACK

Three of the following, or courses from the Japan or China Tracks:
GEOG 438 Cities of East Asia: Geography and Development
HSTAS 482 History of Modern Korea
JSIS A 401 Asia and the World
JSIS A 405/ANTH 449 Social Change in East Asia
JSIS A/ANTH 407 Global Futures in East Asia
JSIS A 431/SOC 434 Demographic Issues in Asia
JSIS A/POL S 439 Politics of Divided Korea
JSIS A/ANTH 448 Modern Korean Society
JSIS A 452/ANTH 442/GWSS 446 Global Asia
JSIS A 466/POL S 480 Comparative Politics and Korea Studies
JSIS A 469 North Korean Society
JSIS A 471 New Orders in East Asia
JSIS A 472/I BUS 461 Science, Technology, and Innovation Polices in East Asia
JSIS A 476 Energy Security in East Asia
JSIS A 478/I BUS 462 Japanese Business Technology
JSIS B 385 Industry and the State
JSIS B 430 Late Industrialization and Social Change
JSIS B 455 International Environmental Policy
JSIS B/LSJ/POL S 469 Law & Rights in Authoritarian Regimes
JSIS D/HSTCMP 330 The U.S. in Eastern Asia 1784-1945
JSIS D 372 Asian Sustainable Development
JSIS D 443/ANTH 446 Class and Culture in East Asia
JSIS D 446 Political Development in East Asia

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES TRACK

Take one from the following:
JSIS B/SCAND 350/ENVIR 360 Environmental Norms in International Politics
JSIS B 351 The Global Environment
JSIS B 357 The Geopolitics of Energy
JSIS B/ENVIR/SMA 433 Environmental Degradation in the Tropics
JSIS B 455 International Environmental Policy
ENVIR/POL S 384 Global Environmental Politics
Take two additional from the following list or the list above:
AAS / ANTH 314 Culture, Environment, and Identity of Island Southeast Asia
ANTH 362 Anthropology of Tourism
ANTH/ENVIR 371 Anthropology of Development
ANTH/ENVIR/ESRM 410 Growing Stuff: Ecology, Economy, and Culture of Resource-Production Ecosystems
ANTH 452 Explorations in Biopower
ANTH 457 Ecological Anthropology
ANTH 458 Ethnobiology
ANTH/ENVIR 459 Culture, Ecology and Politics
ANTH/AES 487 Cultures & Politics of Environmental Justice
ANTH 488 Agroecology
ARCTIC 400 Integrating Policy and Science in Arctic Studies
BIO A/ ENVIR 475 Environmental Impacts of Small-Scale Societies
ECON 435 Natural Resource Economics. (prereq. ECON 300)
ECON 436 Economics of the Environment. (prereq. ECON 300)
ENVIR/ECON 235 Introduction to Environmental Economics
ENVIR/POL S 385 Political Ecology of the World Food System
ENVIR / M E 415 Sustainability and Design for Environment
ENV H 311 Introduction to Environmental Health
ENV H 472 Environmental Risk and Society
ESRM 423 International Trade, Marketing, & the Environment
GEOG 270 Geographies of Int’l Development & Environmental Change
GEOG 280 Introduction to the Geography of Health and Health Care
GEOG 371 World Hunger and Resource Development
GEOG 480 Environmental Geography, Climate, and Health
JSIS A /HSTAS 303 Divided Lands/Divided Lives: An Environmental History of South Asia
JSIS A /ANTH 406 China’s Environment
JSIS A/SCAND 429 Eco-Capitalism
JSIS A 431 /SOC 434 Demographic Issues in Asia. (Joint with SOC 434)
JSIS A 440 Japanese History in Ecological Perspective
JSIS A 476 Energy Security in East Asia
JSIS B/ARCTIC 391 Climate Change-An International Perspective: Science, Art, Activism
JSIS D/GEOG 372 Asian Environment and Development
JSIS D 429 International Population
JSIS D 435/SOC 432 Population and Modernization
POL S 422 International Environmental Politics Seminar

*Special topics courses in Jackson School can count when the topic has something to do with Environmental Issues.


ETHNICITY IDENTITY & MIGRATION TRACK

Students are required to take three of the following:
*At least one of these courses is required.
*JSIS B/POL S 337 Collective Violence and the State
*ANTH 428 Anthropological Perspectives on Ethnicity
*JSIS B/POL S 436 Ethnic Politics and Nationalism
*SOC 456 Political Sociology (Ethnicity and Nationalism)
*SOC/AES 461 Comparative Ethnic Race Relations in the Americas
*JSIS B 525 Special Topics in Race Ethnicity and Nationalism
ANTH 464/LING 464 Language Policy and Cultural Identity
JSIS A/POL S 314//NEAR E 315 Israel: Dynamic Society and Global Flashpoint
JSIS A/ANTH 370 Han Chinese Society and Culture
JSIS A 427/ANTH 425 Anthropology of Post-Soviet States
JSIS A/ANTH 470 Minority Peoples of China
JSIS B 307 Digital Storytelling and Global Citizenship
JSIS B 312 Money, Love and Marriage in Europe and America
JSIS B 324 Immigration
JSIS B 337 Collective Violence and the State
JSIS B 344 Migration in the Global Economy
JSIS B 361 The Rise of a Global Language
JSIS B 380 Immigration and Cultural Memory in the Pacific Northwest
JSIS B 407 Political Islam & Contemporary Islamist Movements
JSIS B 437 Global Diasporas
JSIS B 441 Forced Migrations
JSIS B 446 History, Memory and Justice
JSIS B /HSTCMP 467 Nations and States in the Modern World
RELIG 329/ANTH 330 Religion, Identity, and Cultural Pluralism
RELIG/GEOG 403 Modern European-Islamic Migration, Integration, and Citizenship
JEW ST/HSTEU 465 The Jews of Eastern Europe
JSIS D 468 Deeply Divided Societies
HSTCMP 260 Slavery in History: A Comparative Study
SOC/AES 362 Race Relations
AES 442 Undocumented Immigrant Communities
SOC 467 Immigration and Ethnicity

To help you choose among the courses of the Ethnicity and Nationalities Track, some additional information about the courses is presented below.  You should also feel free to contact the faculty members who offer these courses to discuss their fit with your interests.

  • Courses dealing with race relations and racism: SOC/AES 362, SOC/AES 461
  • Courses dealing with ethnic identity:ANTH 428, ANTH 464/LING 464, JSIS B/POL S 436, JSIS A/ANTH 470
  • Courses dealing with language:JSIS B 361/ANTH 464/LING 464
  • Courses focused on particular areas/peoples:SOC/AES 362 (Americas), JSIS D468 (Near East), JSIS A/ANTH 470 (China),JSIS C/HSTEU 465 (Jews/Eastern Europe)
  • Courses dealing with current policy issues:SOC/AES 362, JSIS D 468, ANTH 464/LING 464, POL S 493

FOREIGN POLICY, DIPLOMACY, PEACE AND SECURITY TRACK

JSIS B/HSTCMP 467Nations and States in the Modern World

Students must take 3 of the following:
ARCTIC 400 Integrating Policy and Science in Arctic Studies
HSTCMP 345 War and Society
HSTAA 461 Diplomatic History of the United States, 1776-1901
HSTAA 462 Diplomatic History of the United States, 1901-Present
JSIS A/POL S 314/NEAR E 315 Israel: Dynamic Society and Global Flashpoint
JSIS A 323 U.S.-Latin America Relations
JSIS A 350 U.S. – Europe Relations
JSIS A 416 NATO
JSIS A 420 Post-Soviet Security
JSIS A 430 The Soviet Empire: Creation, Consolidation, and Collapse
JSIS A/POL S  434 International Relations of South Asia
JSIS A 437/POL S 424 International Relations of Japan
JSIS A/POL S 439 Politics of Divided Korea
JSIS A 459 United States-China Relations (w/POL S 419)
JSIS A 468 Russia in the International System
JSIS A 471 New Orders in East Asia
JSIS A 476 Energy Security in East Asia
JSIS A 493 Water and Security in the Middle East
JSIS B 301 War
JSIS B 311 The Myth of War
JSIS B 315 Law, State and Society
JSIS B 321 U.S. National Security
JSIS B 338 Biosecurity
JSIS B 350 Environmental Norms in International Politics (w/SCAND)
JSIS B 355 Cybersecurity and International Studies
JSIS B 357 The Geopolitics of Energy
JSIS B 360 U.S. in the World
JSIS B 407 Political Islam & Contemporary Islamist Movements
JSIS B 420 Failed States
JSIS B 422 International Trade & Security
JSIS B 423 Practicing American Foreign Policy
JSIS B 424 International Law & Arms Control
JSIS B 425 Crafting and Influencing United States Foreign Policy
JSIS B 427 Weapons of Mass Destruction
JSIS B 428 The Media & Peace
JSIS B 429 Nuclear Nonproliferation and International Safeguards
JSIS B 431 International Negotiation Simulation
JSIS B 440 The Communist Experience Around the World
JSIS B 444 Space Law And Policy
JSIS B 469 Law & Rights in Authoritarian Regimes
POL S 321 American Foreign Policy
POL S 325 Arab Israeli Conflict
POL S 407 International Conflict
POL S 420 Soviet and Russian Foreign Policy
POL S 425 Political Psychology and War
POL S 428 Military Intervention
POL S 431 International Relations in the Middle East
POL S 433 International Relations in Southeast Asia

GLOBAL HEALTH AND POPULATION TRACK

Students must take one of the following:
JSIS B 180 Introduction to Global Health
ANTH 215 Introduction to Medical Anthropology and Global Health
And two additional courses from below:
ANTH 308 Anthropology of Women’s Health and Reproduction
ANTH 374 Narrative, Literature, and Medical Anthropology
ANTH 375 Comparative Systems of Healing
ANTH 376 Anthropology of Disability
ANTH 377 Anthropology and International Health
ANTH 474 Social Difference and Medical Knowledge
ANTH 475 Perspectives in Medical Anthropology
GEOG 371 World Hunger and Agricultural Development
GEOG 380 Geographical Patterns of Health and Disease
ENV H 451 Ecology of Environmentally Transmitted Microbiological Hazards
ENV H 452 Detection and Control of Environmentally Transmitted Microbiological Hazards
JSIS A 324 / LSJ 322 Human Rights in Latin America
JSIS A 431 / SOC 434 Demographic Issues in Asia
JSIS B 320 Yoga: History, Health and Practice
JSIS B 441 Forced Migrations
RELIG 320 Comparative Study of Death
JSIS D 429 International Population
MICROM 101 Microbes and Society
SOC 331 Population and Society
HSTCMP 247 Global Health Histories: Colonial Medicine, Public Health, and International Health in the Global South

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS TRACK

Students must take 3 of the following:
COM 321/ POL S 330 Communications in International Relations
COM 322/ POL S 329 Global Communications
AAS 220 Asian American Stereotypes in the Media
COM 407/POL S 451 Communication Technology and Politics
COM 423 Communications & Social Change
COM 426 International Media Images
COM/JSIS B 428 The Media and Peace
COM 450 International Communications Law and Policy
COM 458 Reporting Global Health (prereq. COM 360)
COM 478 Intercultural Communications
COM 483 Communication Approaches to the Study of War
JSIS A /COM 425 European Media Systems
JSIS B 307 Digital Storytelling and Global Citizenship
JSIS B 355 Cybersecurity & International Studies
JSIS B 361 The Rise of a Global Language
JSIS B 380 Immigration & Cultural Memory in the Pacific Northwest: The Role of Film & Cinema
JSIS B 419/COM 420 Comparative Media Systems (formerly CMU 420)
JSIS B 423 Practicing American Foreign Policy
JSIS B 431 International Negotiation Simulation
POL S/COM 305 Politics of Mass Communication in America
NOTE: any relevant Special Topics (478-490) course offered by a program within the Jackson School may be counted as a track course for International Communications if the student obtains prior approval from the adviser.

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS TRACK

Students must take 3 of the following:
ANTH 323/LSJ 321 Human Rights Law in Culture and Practice
ANTH 416 Comparative Social Movements: Mexico and the United States
ANTH 470 Minority Peoples of China
ANTH 498/LSJ 421 Women’s Rights and Politics in Islamic Society
ARCTIC 200 Indigenous Diplomacies and International Relations in the Arctic
GEOG 331 Global Poverty and Care
GWSS 305 Feminism in an International Context
JSIS A/HSTAS 245 Human Rights in Asia
JSIS A 324/ LSJ 322 Human Rights in Latin America
JSIS A 408/POL S 442 Government & Politics of China
JSIS A/SOC 464 Contemporary Society in the People’s Republic of China
JSIS A 465 International Humanitarian Law
JSIS A 488 Labor and Popular Movements in Latin America
JSIS B 310/POL S 320 State-Society Relations in the Third World
JSIS B 315 Law, State and Society
JSIS B 334 The Place of Law in Multicultural Conflicts (w/ LSJ 336)
JSIS B 337 Collective Violence and the State
JSIS B / LSJ 362 Law and Justice: An Introduction to Social Theory
JSIS B /LSJ 366 Comparative Law, Societies, and Courts
JSIS B 393 LGBTI Rights in International Affairs
JSIS B 436 Ethnic Politics and Nationalism
JSIS B 437 Global Diasporas
JSIS B 439 Law and Political Power
JSIS B 441 Forced Migrations
JSIS B 469 Law & Rights in Authoritarian Regimes (w/ LSJ & POL S)
JSIS D 468 Deeply Divided Societies
PHIL 338 Philosophy of Human Rights
POL S 363 Law in Society
POL S 368/LSJ 320 The Politics an Law of International Human Rights
POL S 430 Civil-Military Relations in Democracies
SOC/AES 462 Comparative Race and Ethnic Relations
SOC 466 Economic Sociology

Additional electives may be approved with permission of International Studies adviser.


INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY TRACK

Take three of the following (one of which must be JSIS B 331 or JSIS B 332):
ECON/POL S 409 Undergraduate Seminar in Political Economy
ECON 448 Population and Development
ECON 471 International Trade
ECON 473 Topics in International Trade
ECON 475 Economics of the European Union
GEOG 349 Geography of International Trade
JSIS A/POL S 322 International Political Economy of Latin America
JSIS A 362 Political Economy of Africa
JSIS A 417 Political Economy of India
JSIS A 418 Eastern Europe: The Political Economy of the Region
JSIS A 429 Eco-Capitalism
JSIS A 453/ECON 468 China’s Economic Reforms-Integration into the World Economy
JSIS A 472 /I BUS 461 Science, Technology, and Innovation Policies in East Asia
JSIS A 473 Political Economy of Japan
JSIS A 477 Readings on Political Economy of Japan and Northeast Asia
JSIS A 478 /I BUS 462 Japanese Business and Technology
JSIS A 487 /POL S 418 Japanese Trade Politics
JSIS B 331 Political Economy of Development
JSIS B 332 Political Economy of International Trade & Finance
JSIS B 333 Gender and Globalization
JSIS B 352 Sustainabiltiy & Global Business: Leading in a Changing World
JSIS B 365 World Cities
JSIS B 385 Industry and the State
JSIS B 386 Law and Politics of International Trade
JSIS B 388 Political Economy of Industrialized Nations
JSIS B 430 Late Industrialization and Social Change
JSIS B 476 Comparative International Political Economy
POL S 335 Political Economy Topics
POL S 427 International Political Economy
POL S 460 Political Economy of the European Union
POL S 477 African Political Development
SOC 466 Economic Sociology
For special permission to register for I BUS courses, contact JSIS adviser in THO 111 one of the following is allowed:
IBUS 330 Business Environment in Developing Countries
IBUS 340 Business Environment in Industrial Countries
IBUS 440 Business in Asia

JAPAN TRACK

Required: One of the following:
JSIS A/HSTAS 241 Japanese Civilization (formerly HSTAS 341)
JSIS A 242 Introduction to Contemporary Japan
Plus two of the following:
ECON 494 Economy of Japan
JAPAN 323 Japan in Literature and Film: Modern Period
JSIS A / HSTAS 423 History of Modern Japan
JSIS A / HSTAS 424 Emergence of Postwar Japan
JSIS A / POL S 435 Japanese Government and Politics
JSIS A 436/ POL S 429 Political Parties in Japan and East Asia
JSIS A 437 International Relations of Japan
JSIS A 440 Japanese History in Ecological Perspective
JSIS A 449 / ANTH 443 Anthropology of Modern Japan
JSIS A 472/ I BUS 461 Science, Technology, & Innovation Policies in East Asia
JSIS A 473 Political Economy of Postwar Japan
JSIS A 474 Civil Society in Japan & East Asia
JSIS A 475 Japanese Society
JSIS A 477 Readings on Political Economy of Japan & Northeast Asia
JSIS A 478/ I BUS 462 Japanese Business and Technology
JSIS A 487/ POLS S 418 Japanese Trade Politics
JSIS B 430 Late Industrialization and Social Change
JSIS E 478 Readings in Japanese on Japan Social Sciences
JSIS 484 Special Topics East Asia (when topic on Japan)

JEWISH STUDIES TRACK

Required:
JEW ST / HSTCMP 250 Introduction to Jewish Cultural History
Plus two of the following:
JSIS A/POL S 314/NEAR E 315 Israel: Dynamic Society and Global Flashpoint
JSIS A 458 Israel: Politics and Society
JEW ST / HSTCMP 269 The Holocaust: History & Memory
JEW ST 325 Contemporary Judaism in a Global Context
JEW ST 358 Jewish Thought
JEW ST / HSTEU 368 Modern European Jewish History
JEW ST 379 Doing Jewish Identity Studies
JEW ST 462 Anti-Semitism as a Cultural System
JEW ST 463 Enlightenment, Emancipation, Antisemitism: History of the Jews, 1770-1914
JEW ST / HSTEU 465 The Jews in Eastern Europe
JEW ST 466/ HSTCMP 469 The Sephardic Diaspora: 1492-Present
JEW ST 490 Advanced Topics in Jewish Studies (see adviser for permission)
ENGL 311 Modern Jewish Literature
NEAR E 325 Modern Hebrew Literature in English
POL S 325 Arab Israeli Conflict

LATIN AMERICA TRACK

Required: One of the following:
HSTLAC 185 Introduction to Latin America
HSTLAC 384 Latin America: Inter-American and Intra-Continental Relations
HSTLAC 385 Colonial Society and the Negotiation of Rule in Latin America and the Caribbean
HSTLAC 386 The Challenges of Post-Coloniality in Latin America and the Caribbean
HSTLAC 488 History of the Caribbean and Central America
JSIS A 323 U.S.-Latin America Relations
Plus two additional from the list above or the following:
ANTH 418 Indian Heritage of Central America
GEOG 330 Latin America: Landscape of Change
GEOG 430 Contemporary Development Issues in Latin America
HSTLAC 482 The History of Brazil: Colonial Period to the Present
HSTLAC 485 Social Revolution in 20th Century Latin America: Comparative Approach
JSIS 480 Special Topics:  Latin America (see adviser for approval)
JSIS A 280 Indigenous Encounters: Politics, Culture, and Representation in Latin America
JSIS A 322 Political Economy of Latin America (w/ POL S)
JSIS A 324/LSJ 322 Human Rights in Latin America
JSIS A 325 Moderern Mexico: Culture, Politics, Society
JSIS A/POL S 342 Government and Politics of Latin America
JSIS A/ SOC 355 Social Change in Latin America
JSIS A/ PORT 365 Mapping Luso-Brazilian Cultures
JSIS A/SPAN 486 Latin American Photography & Cultural Studies
JSIS A 489 The Mexico-U.S. Border in Literature & Film
JSIS A 492 Latin American Studies Seminar
JSIS D 451 The Cultural Geography of Latin America (w/ GEOG)

MIDDLE EAST TRACK

Students must take three the following:
ANTH 318 Anthropology of Islam and Muslim Societies
ANTH 413 Anthropology of the Modern Middle East and North Africa
ANTH 498/LSJ 421 Women’s Rights and Politics in Islamic Society
JSIS 487 Special Topics: Middle East (see adviser)
JSIS A 215/NEAR E 232 Introduction to the Modern Middle East
JSIS A/POL S 314/NEAR E 315 Israel: Dynamic Society and Global Flashpoint
JSIS A 362 Political Economy of Africa
JSIS A 402 The Middle East in the Modern World
JSIS A 458 Israel: Politics and Society
JSIS A 465 International Humanitarian Law
JSIS A 493 Water and Security in the Middle East
JSIS B 450 Deeply Divided Societies
RELIG/GEOG 403 Modern European-Islamic Migration, Integration, and Citizenship
HSTAFM 161 Survey of the Muslim Near East
HSTAFM 163 The Modern Middle East
HSTAFM 462 History of the Middle East: 1258-1798
HSTAFM 463 Modern Persian Gulf
HSTAFM 465 Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia, 1750-2001
JSIS B 406/POL S 432 Political Islam
JSIS B 407 Political Islam & Contemporary Islamist Movements
POL S 325 Arab-Israeli Conflict
POL S 331 Government & Politics in the Middle East & N. Africa
POL S 431 International Relations in the Middle East
RELIG 211/NEAR E 230 Introduction to Muslim Beliefs and Practices
NEAR E 312 Looting and Loss: The Recent Destruction of Cultural Heritage Sites

SOUTH ASIA TRACK

Take three of the following:
ANTH 371 Anthropology of Development
ANTH 412 South Asian Social Structure
HSTAS 403 History of Modern India to 1900
HSTAS 404 History of 20th Century India
JSIS A/HSTAS 202 Introduction to South Asia History, 1500-present
JSIS A 206 Contemporary India & Pakistan
JSIS A / HSTAS 303 Divided Lands/Divided Lives: An Environmental History of South Asia
JSIS A / ANTH 316 Modern South Asia
JSIS A 339 Social Movements in Contemporary India
JSIS A/POL S 340 Politics of India, Pakistan and South Asia
JSIS A/ANTH 341 Political Violence in Post-colonial South Asia
JSIS A/POL S 417 Political Economy of India
JSIS A/POL S 434 International Relations of South Asia
JSIS A 438/GEOG 436 Political Geographies of South Asia
JSIS B 331 Political Economy of Development
JSIS B /POL S 337 Collective Violence and the State
JSIS B /GWSS/ANTH 345 Women and International Economic Development
RELIG 352 Hinduism
RELIG 354 Buddhism
RELIG 356/ANTH 342 Buddhism & Society: The Theravada Buddhist Tradition in South & Southeast Asia
JSIS B 406/POL S 432 Political Islam and Islamic Fundamentalism
JSIS B 407 Political Islam & Contemporary Islamist Movements
JSIS B/POL S 436 Ethnic Politics and Nationalism in Multi-Ethnic Societies
JSIS 485 Special Topics in South Asian Studies

SOUTHEAST ASIA TRACK

 

Take three of the following:
ANTH/AAS 314 Ethnography, Transnationalism, & Community in Island Southeast Asia
ANTH 408 Experiments in Southeast Asia
HSTAS 463 Southeast Asian History: 1800 to Present
JSIS A 221 History of Southeast Asia
JSIS A/HSTAS 265 The Vietnam Wars
JSIS A/ANTH 315 Southeast Asian Civilization: Buddhist and Vietnamese
JSIS A/POL S 343 Politics & Change in Southeast Asia
JSIS A / HSTCMP 367 Southeast Asian Activism & Social Engagement
JSIS A 419 Southeast Asian Knowledge & the Politics of Information
JSIS A / ANTH 447 Literature & Society in Southeast Asia (max. 5 cr)
JSIS A 462 / HSTAS 466 Islam, Mysticism, Politics, & Performance in Indonesian Culture
JSIS A 463 Topics in Southeast Asian History
JSIS B/HSTAS 264 Violence Myth and Memory
JSIS B 407 Political Islam & Contemporary Islamist Movements
JSIS B 433 Environmental Degradation in the Tropics
RELIG 354 Buddhism
RELIG 356 / ANTH 352 Buddhism & Society: The Theravada Buddhist Tradition in South & Southeast Asia
JSIS 486 Special Topics: Southeast Asian Studies (not language)
SOC 470 Contemporary Southeast Asia

RUSSIA, EASTERN EUROPE & CENTRAL ASIA TRACK

Students are required to take three of the following:
JSIS A / HSTEU 445 The Rise & Fall of the Soviet Union
JSIS D / POL S 445 Politics and Society in Eastern Europe
POL S 441 Government and Politics of Russia
ANTH 425/JSIS A 427 Anthropology of the Post-Soviet States
ECON 495 Economic Transformation of Russia and Eastern Europe
GEOG 333 Russia’s Changing Landscape
HSTAFM 465 Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia, 1750-2001
HSTEU/JSIS A 444 Imperial Russia: 1700-1900
HSTEU 451 East-Central Europe Since 1342
HSTCMP/JSIS B 440 The Communist Experience Around the World
JSIS A  344 The Baltic States and Scandinavia (w/ SCAND)
JSIS A/SCAND 345 Baltic Cultures
JSIS A 350 United States – Europe Relations
JSIS A/NEAR E 357 Peoples and Cultures of Central and Inner Asia
JSIS A 418 East Europe: the Political Economy of the Region
JSIS A 420 Post Soviet Security
JSIS A 430 The Soviet Empire
JSIS A 445 The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union (w/HSTEU)
JSIS A 455 Baltic States since 1991 (w/ SCAND)
JSIS A 468 Russia in the International System
JSIS A/POL S 479 Contemporary Central Asian Politics
JSIS B 420 Failed States
NEAR E 358 Islam and Muslims in China
POL S 420 Soviet and Russian Foreign Policy
POL S 421 Relations Among Communist & Post-Communist States
POL S 448 Politics of the European Union

WESTERN EUROPE TRACK

Students are required to take the following:
JSIS A 301 Europe Today
Plus two of the following:
HSTEU 303 Contemporary European History Since 1815
POL S 324 Europe in World Politics
JSIS A 302 The Politics and Cultures of Europe
JSIS A 304 Contemporary European Migration
JSIS A/POL S 348 European Union as Global Actor
JSIS A 349 Migration and Multiculturalism in the Mediterranean
JSIS A 350 U.S. – Europe Relations
JSIS A/SCAND 351 Scandinavia, the European Union, and Global Climate Change
JSIS A 364 Modern Greece: 1821 to the Present
JSIS A 416 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
JSIS A/COM 425 European Media Systems (formerly CMU 425)
JSIS A 429 Eco-Capitalism (w/ SCAND)
JSIS A 442 /SCAND 445 War & Occupation in N. Europe: History, Fiction, Memoir
JSIS B 312 Money, Love and Marriage in Europe and America
JSIS B/SCAND 350 Environmental Norms in International Politics
JSIS B 467 Nations and States in the Modern World
RELIG/ GEOG 403 Modern European-Islamic Migration, Integration, and Citizenship
HSTEU 323 France Since 1814
HSTEU 334 Germany 1871-1989
HSTEU 413 Europe 1914-1945
HSTEU 414 History of Europe Since 1945
HSTEU 415 Europe in the Second World War
HSTEU 422 The French Revolution and Napoleon: 1789-1815
HSTEU 432 Germany 1914-1945
ECON 475 Economics of the European Union
POL S/SCAND 326 Scandinavia in World Affairs
POL S 346 Governments of Western Europe
POL S 437 Politics in Scandinavia
POL S 438 Politics in France

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does it take to complete the major?

There are 70 credits required to complete the IS program, plus language proficiency through the second-year college level. If one were to enter the program with no foreign language or major coursework, it would take two years at 15 credits a quarter, three quarters per year, plus one additional quarter of ten credits. However, students enter with at least some of the program requirements completed – usually part or all of the JSIS 200, 201, 202 series, a course or courses in economics and globalization, and foreign language study – so the average time needed to complete the major is between one and two years. Of course, UW proficiency and distribution requirements must also be met.

2. When should I apply?

Sophomore standing is preferred for admission, but many students also apply during their junior year. By that time, they usually have completed both micro- and macro-economics (or JSIS/GEOG 123 in place of macro-economics) and the JSIS 200-202 series. Students may be admitted during the senior year, if substantial coursework for the major is already completed.

Transfer students must have completed at least one quarter at the UW Seattle campus before applying to the major.

3. What are the requirements for being admitted to the major?

Although there are no specific GPA requirements for acceptance into the major, there are some general guidelines to follow. These vary slightly from year to year, depending upon how many people apply. Recently, most admitted applicants have achieved above a 3.5 in JSIS courses and above a 2.5 in ECON courses. Students with a cumulative GPA below 3.00 are rarely admitted, but exceptions are sometimes made based on other factors. If you are concerned about your qualifications, please see an International Studies adviser.  A minimum UW CUM GPA of 2.5 or above is required to apply.

At a minimum, completion of (1) ECON 200, ECON 201, or JSIS/GEOG 123, and (2) JSIS 200 orJSIS 201, is required for serious consideration. Because the admission committee primarily considers academic performance in JSIS and ECON courses, you must have completed these courses in order to have a solid basis for acceptance. Completion of major coursework beyond the minimum at the time of application is desirable because it gives the committee additional evidence to compare your preparation with that of other applicants.

4. May I apply more than once to the International Studies major if I am not accepted on the first try?

There is no limit to the number of times you may apply. However, if you are a junior or senior and have been denied once, you should check with an adviser in Thomson 111 to assess your chances and options. There is the danger that you will have earned a great deal of IS major credit without being admitted, and this credit might not apply to another program of study. You may consider completing the IS minor instead or the Canadian Studies major both of which include substantial IS major coursework. Students who are deferred, rather than denied, are encouraged to apply again. This status is given to an applicant who looks promising but may need to demonstrate additional proficiencies to be competitive.

5. How often are IS courses offered during the year?

Generally, IS courses are offered once a year. Some 300- and 400- level courses are offered once every other year. Therefore, it is important to work with an adviser in planning a program of study. Typically JSIS 200 and 202 are each offered once a year— autumn and spring. JSIS 201 is offered each winter and also in spring. JSIS B 330 is offered rarely, but there are approved substitutes, notably JSIS B 331; JSIS 495, Task Force, is offered winter only; JSIS 498, Advanced Readings in International Studies, usually is offered during autumn and spring quarters. Various track and core course requirements are offered all quarters. During summer quarter a limited selection of core and track courses is offered, as well as economics and intensive foreign language courses.

6. What kinds of jobs do IS majors obtain upon graduation?

Graduates obtain jobs in all sectors. As a liberal arts degree, the IS major does not provide training for a specific vocation, as do accounting, engineering, or computer science programs. Many graduates work in international areas of business, local and federal government, or with private non-profit agencies. Some go into the field of education or law. It is often their personal interests and work experience gained through internships and part-time jobs that assist graduates in getting an initial job after graduation.

7. Are internships available? How does one get credit for them?

Internships are part-time work assignments with organizations in which the student assists with day-to-day tasks or performs work on special projects. The Jackson School maintains relations with a variety of government, business, and non-profit organizations that use student interns on a regular basis. Information on these organizations is available in the career section of the website. The JSIS Director of Career Services helps coordinate internships for credit. Typically, students work for one or two quarters, often on a volunteer basis. Internships are available locally, in Washington DC, and overseas. Make an appointment for further information.

8. When is the best time to do an internship?

Although you may do an internship at any point during your course of study, most organizations prefer students in their junior or senior year. Some organizations do not offer internships to non-students, so it is generally a good idea to complete an internship while still enrolled in school (or, in some cases, within a few months after graduation). Doing an internship outside of Seattle for a quarter or longer during your senior year may cause delays in graduating, because you may miss a required course offered only once a year. Please talk with an adviser regarding course schedules.

9. Will transfer courses from other colleges/universities count towards the program requirements?

The courses that count most readily are micro- and macro-economics (ECON 200 and 201) and foreign language courses. Other courses occasionally take the place of one of the major requirements, but not usually. Please check with an adviser in Thomson 111 if you would like coursework from another institution considered for major credit. Shoreline and Edmonds Community Colleges and Bellevue College all offer courses that are equivalent to courses in the JSIS 200 series. The course prefix is INTST.

10. Will courses taken abroad count toward completion of program requirements?

Courses taken on study-abroad programs at UW-recognized colleges or universities may take the place of some of the major coursework for the approved track, but in all cases an adviser or program chair must approve such substitutions. Coursework taken abroad is most readily applicable to track and foreign language requirements. If you are considering studying abroad (which is highly recommended), please consult with an adviser in Thomson 111, who can give an initial indication of which courses are most likely to receive major credit. However, a final decision will be made when you return; at that time you should bring in a transcript, the syllabus and reading list from the course, and any papers or tests you have written. Information on overseas study opportunities is available from the UW Study Abroad office, 453 Schmitz Hall, 221-4404.

11. When is the best time to study abroad?

Generally, some time before your senior year– again, because certain required courses can be taken only as a senior at UW campus. Absence at that time would mean extending your time to degree to complete the requirements.

12. Can the language requirement be met without coursework if a student already speaks a foreign language?

Yes, but only upon completion of a placement test administered by the appropriate language department of the University of Washington or another accredited university. In cases where there is no coursework to transfer to the UW, actual course credit is not awarded; the language requirement is merely considered satisfied.


JSIS & Affiliate International Studies Faculty

Click here for more Global Studies at the Jackson School